Tag Archives: vintage signage

Two Theaters in Palo Alto

Two vintage theater marquees in Palo Alto, California. And why I work solely on location. Continue reading

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Vintage Signage and the Mercury News.

Yes, more vintage signs from around San Jose. The Flamingo Motel. The Alameda, San Jose. And this Orchard Supply sign , probably from the 1950s. In the background a del Monte water tower that I want to draw someday soon. The … Continue reading

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Sunny Day in the City

A bright and sunny day in San Francisco is a joy. But bright, sunny, and warm- almost 80 degrees – in winter is amazing. That’s the day I ended up in San Francisco to see the California Watercolor Association’s Annual … Continue reading

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Dealin’ Dollar Dan

This is Dealin’ Dollar Dan. Having a prospector as your sign makes  sense when you’re called Gold Rush Motors. Still, I’m glad Service Rent-A-Car, which now stands on the lot, still has him standing, even though he’s peeling and threatening to fall apart. And … Continue reading

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Sam’s Downtown Feed & Pet Supply

Sam’s Downtown Feed & Pet Supply: Just the name takes you back to another era. And my sketches barely scratch the surface of this magical place. (I am going to have to go back and sketch the interior of this store soon.) … Continue reading

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This week in sketches

It’s getting cold even here in California, and my outdoor sketches are getting rarer. Last week, I ended up with just this one, from downtown Willow Glen, right by the old-fashioned La Villa Delicatessen. Lots of people strolling down the street, many … Continue reading

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Albany and Berkeley

Albany Bowl in Berkeley. Such a bright blue, it made the sky pale in comparison. And the Art Deco Cerrito Theater, also in Albany. A quick sketch of a couple of cops, on a burrito break.  And a change of … Continue reading

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Recent Obsessions. And Brush Pen Reviews.

There are themes I return to all the time, so I guess I have many recent obsessions. There’s vintage cars that I understand nothing about but love the shapes of. And there’s vintage signage, like this sign for the Sands Motel on … Continue reading

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Watertowers and Continental Cuisine

This is the Mariani Fruit Packing Company Water Tower in San Jose.  The Fruit Packing Plant has long since been torn down, and in its place is a huge housing complex called, what else, Mariana Square Townhomes. I hit a double … Continue reading

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Documenting the process

I’ve been trying to take photographs of a piece as I work on it. Trouble is, I work very quickly and wet-in-wet, usually without a pause. So it’s easy to forget to stop and take a photograph. Still, I managed to get … Continue reading

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